Scout recruitment draws new cubs to pack

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Excitement was in the air one recent evening at Southside School, when several area residents and their children attended a recruitment event to learn more about the Cub Scouts and its benefits.
Contributed Photo
ADVANCEMENT — Cub Scout Local Pack 156 held an advancement ceremony recently. Recognized from left to right are Lif Gaug, Timothy Moore, Phillip Morley and Jonathan Stoddard. Gaug and Moore are now Bear Scouts. Morley and Stoddard are now Wolf Cub Scouts. 
   Christopher Cain, cub master of Local Pack 156, said after handing out flyers and speaking at local schools, he scheduled the event to tell families about scouting and its role in personal development.     “Scouting taught me values and gave me a lot of great memories and great skills,” said Cain. He added that boys start out in the first grade and can go on to become Eagle Scouts. “It’s an organization under the Boy Scouts designed to help build character in young boys and young men. It is a big part of your life,” said Cain.
    Before a brief presentation to the children and their families, Christian Leet, 8, was working on an “icebreaker project” trying to find someone who played a musical instrument. Cain said the objective was  having the new recruits get to know people.
    Young Leet said he became interested in the Cub Scouts because of archery. His mother, Helena Haines, explained that her son brought home informational materials from school and they decided “to check it out.”
    Cain’s wife, Elizabeth, said her son is a Tiger Scout and she sees his development as a young man. “He is not as shy as he used to be. He is more outgoing, even at school.” She added that “after joining the Cub Scouts, the boys do things a little at a time and grow in their development.”
    Elizabeth Cain explained that Pack 156 had completed a number of projects and activities during the year including giving a weather report at a local radio station, placing flags at the cemetery for fallen soldiers and marching in the Memorial Day Parade.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
TYING THE KNOT — John Gaug (left) demonstrates various knots to Lif Gaug (center) and Christian Leet, a prospective Cub Scout.
    But, there was one project that stood out. Jonathan Stoddard acted as a greeter in Bangor when returning soldiers came home from the Middle East. “He wanted to do something nice and handed out dollar bills so they could use the massage chairs after their long trip,” she explained.
    Christopher Cain said he holds recruitment events in the spring and fall and explains to parents that “it’s not really expensive. The cost to join is $16; $15 covers the charter registration and $1 covers insurance. Uniforms, badges, pins, etc. are paid for through fund raising.” Cain said when he was a scout he paid for his uniform and badges through fund raising.
    While parents listened to a presentation, scouts and new recruits engaged in various activities and games.  Four children signed up to join the Cub Scouts that evening and more are considering it.
    For more information contact Cain at 538-4453 or 356-9852.